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Dear Friends...

“Dear friends and family, We want to thank you for your prayers and support for our ministry....”

How many times have you read those words in a missionary letter? They seem so... general, so impersonal, so emotionless. But here is the missionary's (my) dilema, I want to communicate with each person on my support team. I want that communication to be personal. I want that communication to seem vital and important. I want it to be written personally to you. I want you to know that you are a part of our team; that what we do, we do for Christ, and because of you. I want you personally to know that without you we wouldn't be able to keep doing what we are doing. I would love to put your name at the head of every email, Dear Jack, Wilma, Kent, Sandra, Juan, Steve, Bob, Sylvia, Vicki, Jim, Martha, Rick, Sherry, Ron, Del, Glynn, Greg, Mike, Guy, Tim, Adam, Jeff, Andy, Dan, .... But I can't.

I was recently verbally spanked for not communicating more. “What about the people who don't have a computer? How will they know what you are doing?” We have recently become a part of that dwindling number who don't have internet connections, so I realize that it is difficult to get the information that you might want. But with that in mind I want to thank those of you who copy, read, or pass along, in some form, my weekly notes. I want to thank that pastors who make them available on the church's prayer sheet. It is a great help. You help link us with others who will support us in prayer. We need that support.

Just last week our team went through a very difficult situation. But, because of much prayer, God protected us and helped us work through that circumstance to His glory. In the near future (August) our family is facing a return to the States to raise more support, we will need open doors, willing hearts, God's guidance to specific churches and individuals. We need your prayer help.

As I gave my Sunday school lesson yesterday morning to: Mariana, Mateus, Washington, Jhonny, Daniel, and Robsin, I was depending on God to touch the lives of the boys and girl in my class. That happens when you place specific names before the throne of grace. I trust God, I desire your participation, and I need both aspects to succeed in the ministry of God's Word here in Sorocaba.

Jackson preached from Isiah 6 last night and did a good job of emphasizing our need for a transcendent look at our Heavenly Father. When we truly see Him we will be fit for His service. Communicating our needs to you all helps us to realize that we are in this undertaking together.

With our coming Vacation Bible School, and Youth retreat on the near horizon we need your prayers now for successful ministry efforts. We want this year to be a year of great growth both spiritually and numerically. Thus, before we begin those efforts, “I want to thank you for your prayers and support for our ministry.” Your help is imperative!

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